Nashville, TENNESSEE – According to the state officials, the purpose of Operation Hands Free is to reduce distracted-driving crashes and fatalities by increasing enforcement efforts and educating citizens about the states’ hands-free laws.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation will assist by utilizing digital highway message boards to spread awareness.
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development will display outdoor banners at welcome centers statewide.
Tennessee Highway Safety Office director, Buddy Lewis, released the following statement:
“The THSO is proud to partner with the NHTSA, the State of Georgia, and our traffic safety partners across Tennessee. In 2021, the THSO was honored to receive the Governor’s Highway Safety Association’s Peter K. O’Rourke Special Achievement Award for the innovative bus-tour concept and its effectiveness in distracted-driving enforcement and awareness.”
THSO partnered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Georgia State Patrol, AAA – The Auto Club Group, and traffic safety partners across Tennessee.